Get the Skinny! This is just part of the article. Want the complete story, plus a host of other cutting-edge articles to make your job easier? Sign up!

I hope you’ve noticed that in our September issue, we began providing you with Retail Tips in many of the articles. Through conversations with spa professionals, we were consistently hearing that retail sales were not where you felt they should be, but no one really could figure out that magic formula to improve them. These conversations were thought-provoking, and led us to try and help you delve into the nebulous area of retail sales by pulling out bits and pieces of useful and concrete retail information in nearly every article we publish.

Selling has a bit of a stigma in this industry. It does not necessarily mean hitting a client over the head with your product, or being pushy or intrusive; however, it does take a little bit of finesse and practice. So for July’s online Vocal Point survey, we asked our audience to share their tips for increasing retail sales. Charlene Keefe, owner of Skin by Char in Huntington Beach, California, offered 10 basic tips: “I have found these tips to really work in increasing my retail sales.

Offer great customer service; smile; and introduce yourself. Be professional, and make sure you are presentable and ready for work.

Listen to your clients’ needs.

Supply your clients with the products they need—this shows that you are listening to them.

Make sure you have appropriate products in stock.

Apply the product to their skin and have them feel it.

Give them the products they are coming to see you for, and then suggestive sell.

Have clients fill out a card with their contact information.

Book for a follow-up appointment in two or three weeks.

Follow-up in three days with a phone call to make sure what you gave them is working.

Send thank-you cards."

Brenda Griffin, owner of Faces Plus in Tucson, Arizona, reminds that confidence is key. “Confidence, confidence, confidence,” she stresses. “If you are confident in what you sell and have to offer, it comes across to your clients and potential clients. If they believe in you, they will want to purchase what works for them knowing that it will provide the most benefit for their skin. Sharing your knowledge is key. It is simple, easy and the best no-cost advertising you can do.”

Want the rest of the story? Simply sign up. It’s easy. Plus, it only takes 1 minute and it’s free!

Skip

Welcome to the new SkinInc.com!

Delivering the best information on the spa, skin care and wellness industry is our passion, and we’ve worked hard to design a powerful new website that incorporates cutting-edge technology to bring you: